It looks like a success-based "voucher" technologically neutral system for USF Reform/CAF is what's being proposed by the RCA (Rural Cellular Association)
http://rca-usa.org/press/rca-press-releases/five-things-the-fcc-can-do-to-accelerate-broadband-deployment/914048 Perhaps WISPA should/could partner up with them for a stronger voice? -Charles -----Original Message----- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Jeromie Reeves Sent: Friday, February 11, 2011 11:49 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] FCC Favors Shifting Rural Subsidies To Broadband We need to have the USF turned into a voucher credit system that the end user can apply to what ever supplier they chose. Maybe its not the best idea, but I do not feel I have heard of a better one. Better for /the users/ not better for the I/CLECs and other very vested interests. On Fri, Feb 11, 2011 at 5:43 AM, Fred Goldstein <fgoldst...@ionary.com> wrote: > At 2/11/2011 01:06 AM, JohnS wrote: >> The FCC is looking for comments, so we all need to make >> > it quite clear that the funds should be available for any and all >> > broadband providers! >> > >> > http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20110207/tc_nf/77213 >> > >> > Bret >> > >> >> >>We should comment. The comment should be that we do not support any >>form of broadband subsidies and that USF should be eliminated. It is a >>New Internet Tax. We should all call it that and get people riled up >>about it. > > The FCC can't eliminate USF entirely. It is statutory: The Telecom > Act of 1996 established USF and called for it to keep rural telephone > rates comparable to urban rates. Because rural states get two > senators just like big states, they have undue influence on subsidy > legislation. Ted Stevens of Alaska was a leader here; he later > wanted the FCC to outlaw VoIP, since it threatened the costly toll > minutes that paid into USF. > > The new proposal makes matters worse, though, since it keeps existing > USF intact and adds yet another fund to allow one provider per place > to provide subsidized Internet access. I expect that it will usually > be the ILEC, getting more money to compete with WISPs. > > -- > Fred Goldstein k1io fgoldstein "at" ionary.com > ionary Consulting http://www.ionary.com/ > +1 617 795 2701 > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > WISPA Wants You! Join today! > http://signup.wispa.org/ > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org > > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless > > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
